Part 1 is here. The full series is also available at Ontario County GenWeb.

I have spent many hours reading old newspapers this summer. Three branches of my family were all in Ontario County, New York in the early 1800's, with the Hall's and Glover's settling in the town of Phelps at Oaks Corners. This is the only place other than family notes that I have ever found a reference to my gr-great-grandmother, Louisa Glover! I have found many other names of persons I know I am related to and I'm still exploring my file to see if any others are there. I hope that others find their families listed here.

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The Phelps Citizen. [Phelps, Ontario, New York. No author name with article.]
Thursday, May 9, 1889

Sessional Records of the Church at Oaks Corners

A synopsis of the same will only be attempted. I have been unable to obtain any sessional records, as such, till April 1st. 1814, at which time the Society was transformed into a Presbyterian Church. Therefore, the records, printed In the business records from 1804-1814, must suffice.

The record in question opens with a written confession of faith and covenant, as held by the Presbyterian Church. The first recorded meeting, was held at the house of Thaddeus Collins, April 1813.

Resolved, That the church adopt the Presbyterian standards and form of government. Dr, Peter Woodward was appointed delegate to Presbytery of Geneva, to present the notion of the church.

Said action was presented at a meeting of Presbytery, April 23d, 1813, at Housoye, and the church was made a constituent member of Geneva Presbytery.

Rev. Mr. Powell , as far as I know, was the only officiating pastor from 1805 up to this time, 1813.

Lackey Morrow, Peter Woodward, Mathew Denniston and John Burnham were the first board of ruling elders.

A meeting was held at the union school house in Phelps to consider a call to the Rev. Mr. Barritt. Committee: John Burnham, Moses Youngs, Joseph Griffith, M. Denulaton, Thaddeus Collins, Caleb Case, John Griffith, Joseph Hall and Thadeus Oaks.

This committee did not meet with sufficient success, resulting in a failure to call Mr. Barritt.

At the next meeting, August 14th, 1814, the Rev. Ambrose Porter presided, and undoubtedly was the officiating minister, as his name appears as moderator of the session for some length of time.

Peter Woodward was dismissed to join the church at Gorham. George VanAuken was admitted membership, on profession, October 2d, 1814.

During this period John Burham was clerk of session.

At a church meeting, May 14th, 1815, Joshua King and Caleb Case were chosen elders. Charity Humphrey and Betsey Burnett were received into the church. Anthony VanAuken and wife dismissed to join the church in Lyons. September 12th, 1816, Rev. Charles Mosher was Installed as pastor.

January 26th, 1817, Simeon VanAuken was dismissed to join a church in Wolcott.

May 4th, 1817, Lucinda Richards, Louisa Baker and Mercey Humphrey were admitted to the church.

May 9th, 1817, Maria Prescott, and Salmira Webster. Reuben Bardwell and Robert J. Griffith, were received January 16th, 1818.

A number were dismissed to join a new church in the north-west part of the town, Brewer, Post, Sears, VanBlarnacom and others.

May 17th, 1818, James VanAuken, Mary Shattuck and Mr. Rogers were admitted to the chrch.

August 1st, 1819, received Theodore Partridge and Summit Brown.

Theodore Partridge was a school teacher in Phelps, and became a ruling elder, and prominent in church affairs many years. He was clerk of the session many years. His fine work is still to be seen on the books.

The resignation of Rev. Charles Mosher was accepted September 20th, 1819.

The wholesale emigration to Phelps nearly stranded the old church. We may well imagine their feelings, with Minister and some Elders, and a large membership gone. But with courage undaunted, the remnant proceeded to hold up the banner.